PALMETTO — A former Palmetto pastor was sentenced to three consecutive life sentences this week after being found guilty on multiple sex crimes against children.
The Manatee County Sheriff's Office announced this week that Jonathan Elwing was found guilty on all twelve criminal charges, which included capital sexual battery, the production of child sex abuse material (CSAM), and possession of CSAM.
Elwing was arrested in June of 2024, after detectives received information that he used cryptocurrency to make an online purchase of child sexual abuse material. A search warrant was executed at the church and at Elwing's home.
Detectives found four sexually explicit images of children on his cell phone. Probable cause was developed to charge Elwing with four counts of Possession of Child Pornography.
He was taken into custody and booked at the Manatee County Jail. Elwing resigned his position as pastor of the church before being arrested. Upon further investigation, detectives found more images on the former pastor’s phone that depicted him raping a child.
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